1. Both Have Changed Signficantly Since 2008

Miley Cyrus is now synonymous with a crazy free-spirited partying lifestyle but in 2009 she was just trying to figure out who she was on Hannah Montana. The show was in season 3 and after ditching a prom date, Miley was given the opportunity of a lifetime to sing with David Archuleta!

For filmmakers, it’s now more affordable than ever to make your own film. The cost of high quality camera equipment has come down significantly over the last few years, with 4K video now attainable for under $4K.

Additionally, with the Internet it is easier than ever to distribute and make money as an independent filmmaker. We live in a day where over 30% of audiences watch feature length films on their phones. Try doing that on your iPhone 3G in 2008.

2. Both Use Social Media to Build Buzz

Miley has over 16 million twitter followers and 41 million likes on Facebook. She tweets an average of 13 times a day! With all that time on social media it’s amazing that she has time to pursue a singing career…but social media has been instrumental in driving Miley’s fanbase.

Similarly, successful film distribution is now dependent on social media. Filmmakers can engage with their audience, target a niche following and get real-time feedback on their projects. Now more than ever it’s important for films to have a great online presence. The more people exposed to your film, the more successful your film will be.

Likewise, many films (and film franchises) have been equally adept at selling products related to their brands. The Star Wars franchise, while only earning 4.2 billion in box office sales, has now raked in over 12 billion in related toy sales (with another nearly 3 billion in video game sales). For info on the total franchise revenue of Star Wars check out this recent report.